Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and More

Two of the giants of world football face off against one another in the last eight of the Champions League, as Manchester United play host in the first leg to newly crowned Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich, in a repeat of the classic final from 1999.

Despite both club's status in the global game, their current form could not be further apart.

United have fallen off the edge of the proverbial cliff, surrendering their Premier League crown without a fight. It seems that European football will not be being played at Old Trafford for the first time in a generation next season, unless a miracle occurs and they win this tournament.

On the other hand, Bayern have rocketed past Real Madrid and Barcelona to be considered as the best team on the planet, having won last season's Champions League and being the favourites to retain their title.

Being 23 points clear of Borussia Dortmund in Germany, per WhoScored.com, they have already retained their domestic title without having to change up a gear.

With the dominance of the Premier League and La Liga on football fans' TV sets and Internet streams, the climb of German football and specifically Bayern has been a surprise but steady ascent.

The Bavarian giant has proved for a few seasons now that its forward-thinking strategy toward squad building, opting for talent over ego, has placed them as the planet's most dangerous team.

And as the likes of Real Madrid go out and break world-record transfer fees for Galactico-worthy footballers like Gareth Bale, Bayern look closer to home with a more organic approach.

Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Indeed, the next stellar addition to their squad will be Borussia Dortmund Robert Lewandowski, as reported by Sky Sports. He is yet another Bundesliga talent who will further strengthen their already ridiculously strong squad.

Bayern hearts and minds will never forget the 1999 Champions League final which saw United score twice in the final seconds of the game to win the famous trophy, 2-1 at the Nou Camp, but with that triumph now set in a previous era, this current United side will find it hard to compete with their German visitors.

Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World quoted Bayern winger ArjenRobben on his Twitter account, with the Dutchman explaining the camp's mindset:

Arjen Robben: "Bayern have no fear of United at all. We don’t let our opponents come up for air. That is the Bayern of Guardiola.” #MUFC

The German team will be looking to make quick work of United, and there is every chance that this game could be over as a spectacle before it even truly begins.

If Bayern bring their powerful best to the table, they can crush a United side who are licking their wounds still from this horrific season.

The speed and precision of Bayern's play is too much for the best teams in Europe, and currently you could not include United in this select bunch of teams.

The Fall of Manchester United

Jon Super

Nobody interested in football will have failed to notice the capitulation of Manchester United after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

The David Moyes era has started with a bang, but that noise has been the United car crash, into the proverbial wall, causing what seems irreparable damage.

However, United have survived in Europe after their dramatic Old Trafford comeback against Olympiakos but now face being butchered by a ruthlessly efficient German killing machine.

Moyes remained calm in his assessment of his team's chances. He said to the club's website:

When we drew them, I felt we'd drawn probably the best team in Europe at this present time. I think most people would agree with that.

I really enjoyed watching them last year as they have great energy. I quite enjoy German football actually and going to the games but Munich are a little bit of a class above the other teams, including Borussia Dortmund.

We have got a really tough game and know exactly what we are going to get but we'll try to exploit little bits of weaknesses they have got. Pep has taken over a really good team and added a bit himself with his own style. They have already won the Bundesliga quite comfortably so the focus is on the Champions League now.

Moyes will know that his team are huge outsiders to progress to the semi-finals, as he simply does not have the depth of quality that the Bundesliga champions do.

With Robin van Persie out through injury and Juan Mata ineligible, United will once again have to rely on Wayne Rooney and the aging legs of Ryan Giggs in midfield.

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If United can get a foothold in the match early and stretch Bayern across the pitch, they could well have the slightest chance of taking a constructive scoreline with them into the second leg.

But with Bayern's undoubted fire power, that seems unlikely, with Robben and Co. showing just how good they are when facing a weak opponent.